2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

Although the Corolla Cross shares much of the positives that the regular sedan brings, it also shares its powertrain, which makes it feel slow and not very engaging to drive. Despite that slight drawback, the hybrid version of the Corolla Cross adds a little electric pep in its step in addition to a far better fuel efficiency rating. Power aside, the Toyota Corolla Cross is pleasant to drive and even more practical than any Corolla variation ever produced.

Interior

The Toyota Corolla Cross’ interior is spacious and somewhat comfortable. I say “somewhat” because although its front seats are soft, they aren’t the most supportive I have ever sat in. They are also covered in a neoprene-like cloth, which I’m assuming is easy to clean and can survive years of use. So, in essence, the Corolla Cross’ interior is utilitarian. Also, those front seats aren’t very comfortable for longer trips.

The rear space is good, though. There is plenty of headroom and a decent amount of legroom, except for the middle seat, which has a hump in the floor. My head also hit the headliner when sitting in that seat. The seat quality back there is about the same; comfortable, but not exactly luxury-car quality. The cargo space is where the Corolla Cross shines as it boasts 12 more cubic feet over the Corolla sedan, resulting in 21.5 cubic feet of space.

If you like the dashboard layout in the Corolla sedan and hatchback, then you’ll like the one in the Corolla Cross because it’s identical. Everything is easy-to-read and within reach. The touchscreen infotainment system sits front and center and there’s a single-zone climate control panel below that is easy to operate. I also like that there is a traditional shifter and the leather-wrapped steering wheel is a nice touch. However, my tester did not have heated seats, which is a bit of a letdown considering its high price tag.

Exterior

While it’s hard to say that the Toyota Corolla Cross’ look is inspiring, it’s not bad. The bold wheel arches and sharp edges give it an aggressive look as does its front grille.

My test car was the Nightshade trim level, so it came equipped with black 18-inch wheels, black trim pieces, and black mirrors that contrasted well with the car’s Soul Red paintjob. I highly recommend opting for this trim level if you want a Corolla Cross with a little more personality.

Powertrain and Driving Impressions

The Toyota Corolla Cross is available with two different powertrains: a 169-horspeower 2.0-liter engine or a hybrid 2.0-liter engine. Adding the electric assist boosts the power output to 196 and increases the fuel economy to an EPA-estimated 45 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway, with 42 mpg combined. During my week with the car, I averaged 44 mpg while driving in mixed driving situations, which is better than the EPA estimate.

High fuel efficiency is the highlight of the Corolla Cross’ powertrain as it lacks driving engagement. I wouldn’t say that the Corolla Cross is boring to drive, but it feels more like driving an appliance in that it can get you from point A to B without any issue. Its steering effort feels nicely weighted and it gets a little sportier when switched into “sport” mode. The brakes feel good for a hybrid and the car’s acceleration is adequate due to the electric assist. I have driven the gas-only variant before and it felt very slow in comparison.

That said, I would recommend the hybrid model for the added fuel savings and better acceleration. One cool feature I found in the infotainment system was the energy flow graphic, which shows where the power is flowing from, either the battery or the engine. It’s fun to watch, but more importantly, it shows that the engine cuts off under light acceleration and when cruising, which is largely beneficial for saving gas.

Additionally, the car uses an electronic CVT that doesn’t bog it down when accelerating and comes standard with an all-wheel-drivetrain, which comes in handy for those living in snow states like me.

Technology

My test car came with every tech feature that most drivers would need, except for heated front seats, which is available on the top XSE trim level. However, the Nightshade Edition comes equipped with many features, including an 8-inch infotainment screen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, four USB ports, and a wireless phone charger. My tester also came equipped with a JBL nine-speaker sound system, which sounded amazing, in addition to a panoramic moonroof. I highly suggest these upgrades if you’re an audiophile that likes to cruise with the sunroof open.

Safety

The Toyota Corolla Cross has many active and passive safety features, including nine airbags, a backup camera, a rear-seat reminder, and blind-spot detection. It also comes with Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0, which includes driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, proactive driving assist, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection.

Summary

My test car for the week rang in at $34,705, including the destination charge, which I felt like was a little high given the class and content of the car. Although the Toyota Corolla Cross came with everything most drivers want and need, including a very efficient hybrid powertrain, the Corolla Cross’ interior quality and lack of certain amenities make it not worth the price.

That said, it is still a good car and I would recommend it for anyone who needs the space and wants a hybrid, but there are many other rivals in the segment, like the Nissan Kicks and Kia Seltos, that could offer a better value for the money.